National Republican., 1887-03-22
The Fish Commission.

Congress in February, 1871, passed res
olution authorizing the appointment OF "a
commissioner of fish and tisheries," defn-
ing in general way his duties, and requir.
ing that he should be ia civil officer of the
government, Of proved scientific and prac-
tical acquaintance with the fishes OF the
coast.n This was a practical Limitation of
the cfiice TO Prof. Spencer F. Baird, as he
was the only civil officer Of the govern
mort possessing this qualification.
Tie investigation proposed by Congress
was into ''the subject (of the dim!nution
Of valuable fshes) with the view Of ascer.
tainyg whether any aud what diminution
in the number OF the food.fshes OF the
coast and the lakes of the United States
has taken place: and, If SO, to what causes
the same is due: and also whether any and
what protection, prohibitory or precaution-
measures should be adopted in the prem-
is.s, and to report upon the same to Con-
..ress.m .RRIGES., 40 .s.,,,s.
And it was e2aelTihgly fortunate for the
successful prosecution Of this work that
such man as Prof Baird could be found to
take charge Of it. When he took charge Of
lDG NuIh ht WIS lCSOShIacu us du ClllitiCub
man of science, in the front rank of biologi-
cal Investigation, while his position as the
head of that Influential scientific organiza-
ton, the Smithsonian Institution, enabled
him to secure the aid Of a body Of Trained
specialists, and much Of the best work, both
in the investigation of the fisheries and In
the artificial culture Of fishes, has been per-
formed by men eminent as biologists.
The work Of the commission was natur-
ally divided into three sections: First, the
systematic investigation Of the waters of
the United States, and the biological and
physical problems which they present. Sec
Ond, the investigation of the methods Of
fisheries, past and present, and the stats
tics of production and commerce OF fishery
products. Man being one Of the chief de-
stroyers Of fish, his influence upon their
abundance must be studied. Fishery
methods and apparatus must he examined
and compared with those OF other
lands, that the use Of those which
threaten the destruction of useful
fishes may be discouraged, aud that
those which are inefficient may be re-
placed by others more servlceable. S.atis'
tice of industry and trade must be secured
for the use of Congress In making treaties
or imposing tariffs, to show to producers
tie best markets, and to consumers where
ard with what their needs may be supplied.
And third, the Introduction aud multiple
cation Of useful food fishes throughout the
country, especially In waters under the jurs.
6iction Of the general government, or those
common to several states, none OF which
might feel willing to make expenditures
for the benefit Of the others.
The important sea fisheries are located
along the North Atlantic, and the coast Of
this district has been the seat of the most
- active yr4f7t6z--o in marine research, and
for twelve years the commissioner has de-
voted the summer season to work at
various stations along the coast, from North
Carolina to Nova Scotia. And this work
has been of the very highest importance,
producing results that more than repay ten.
fold the necessary expenditure for the re-
search.
The investigation of the statistics and
history of the fisheries has occupied much
of the time and attention of the commits.
sioner, because of the marked deterioration
in the fisheries. TGis investigation has been
made with the view of devlsing methods to
prevent the destruction, when that was
possible, as 1t is In some cases of valuable
fisheries, which provided the means OF sub
slstence for large communities aud fool
for great numbers Of people.
The question Of interest was how to neu-
tralize the influences which were, ia many
instances, destroying the fisheries, aud the
answer to that question resolved itself into
the following propositions, which were evil
IDENTIFY necessary-hrst, to preserve fish
waters, especially those inland, as nearly as
II may be possible in their normal condI-
tion; second, to prohibit wasteful or i'm
moderate fishing; third, to put into practice
the art of fish breedlng-that is, to aid ia
maintaining natural supply; to repair the
effects Of past improyidenees, and to In
crease the supply beyond its natural limits
rapidly enough to meet the necessities OF u
constantly increasing population.
But while great attention was paid TO the
examination into the destruction OF fisheries
and the methods OF preventing 1t, mu3h the
largest portion OF the time and IN )ney OF
ihe commission has been devoted 10 hsh